How much off-contact do I need?Updated an hour ago

For most T-shirt and thinner garment printing, a good starting point is 1/16" to 1/8" of off-contact. For thicker garments, such as hoodies and fleece, you may need to increase that distance.

While 1/8" is a common guideline in screen printing, it isn't a one-size-fits-all measurement. The ideal off-contact depends on your screen tension, garment thickness, and overall setup.

The goal is to keep your screen as close to the garment as possible while still allowing it to snap cleanly away from the ink as the squeegee passes over the design. If your screen is sticking to the ink or garment at 1/8", gradually increase your off-contact until the screen lifts away cleanly and quickly.

Keep in mind that if you need an unusually large amount of off-contact to get your screen to release properly, your screen tension may be too low. In that case, it's worth checking your screen tension and considering a replacement screen if it can't maintain adequate tension.

Start with the recommended range, make small adjustments, and test your prints until you find what works best for your setup!